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CityJet crew announce five-day strike in pay row

CityJet faces a five-day strike by cabin crew next week in a dispute over proposed pay cuts of up to 50%.

The 36-strong cabin crew members of the Unite union voted by 84% for industrial action over a range of issues including roster agreements, pay and allowances.

The walk-out from October 20 threatens to disrupt flights from London City airport on October 20-21 and October 24-26.

A major factor is the loss of overnight allowances in Amsterdam once the airline opens a base in the Dutch city, along with the impact of lost income from a reduction in flights, the union claimed.

Unite is seeking compensation for the loss of earnings and a guarantee of job security given the changes that it says the Dublin-based carrier is proposing.

The union says it is ironic that the cabin crew are the European Regions Airline Association airline of the year cabin crew.

The strike action coincides with limited industrial action being taken by CityJet pilots represented by Unite in Dublin.

The union says the airline has refused to refer issues in dispute to the Irish Labour Court, contrary to an agreement between CityJet and the Unite.

The carrier has also threatened to terminate an agreement with the Ireland region of Unite in respect of both pilot and cabin crew representation – effectively seeking to deny Unite members the right to collective representation by a union of their choice.

Unite regional officer Jo Jaques said: “Our award winning cabin crew members are on modest incomes and they rely on the allowances to boost their wages.

“The strike will cause severe disruption to the mainly business travellers who use London’s City airport.

“The fact that Unite members in Dublin have also been forced to take industrial action because of the company’s refusal to go to the Irish Labour Court indicates a worrying pattern of behaviour by CityJet.

“It is our view that the company is not taking its employees’ position seriously. We call on CityJet to come up with serious proposals to address the members’ concerns and recognise that the hardworking cabin crew have to live near City airport to get to work on time.

“The management needs to recognise that London is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in.”

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